May 23, 2008

South Sound Sailing Society Memorial Weekend Cruise:

The Cygnet got underway late due to having a new thermostat installed in the icebox.  Annette backed out the boat for the first time and did a great job. We made our customary stop at the poop dock.  It was busy because of the long weekend. We cleared the poop dock a 13:00.  The weather was gray but mild, wind out of the north at about 5kts.  It was going to be either a very long sail or the iron horse.  We opted for the motor. The motor up was uneventful. 

Long Branch was overflowing with powerboats.  It was amazing how packed in they were.  I found out later that there were three yacht clubs meeting up for their annual Memorial Weekend Cruise.  Pitt Passage posed no problems.  The shallowest we saw was nine feet under the keel. 

Entering Mayo Cove the Sassy was setting anchor.  We ran alongside to if they wanted to raft up, but they seemed a bit nervous at the thought, so we circled back and dropped the hook.  The tide was low and we had 22 feet under the keel when we settled out.  We rigged the Bimini and I had puppy duty, so off to shore I went. By 19:30 we were enjoying cocktails and pupus.  The night was waning and we turned in early.

May 24, 2008

I was up at 0630.  The sun was resting on the water as the morning mist dissipated. Penrose Pt seemed to hover in the sky as the sun reflected off the water. A young eagle sounded his arrival and soon too another.  They perched themselves high in the tree top to spy their breakfast. I took to the task of making coffee.  Annette and the pup were happy to sleep in. 

Around 0930 the sleeping duo poked their heads above deck.  Annette wanted coffee.  The sun was rising the day promised to be hot.  I counted eight boats on hooks or floats.  I rowed the pup in to shore so she could do her business.  Rowing back I swung by Sassy to say hello.  I was invited onboard by Glen the Skipper and was given the grand tour.  He and his wife have a beautiful 34 ft C&C.  After some chit chat, I made my way back to the Cygnet. I cooked up some corn beef hash and eggs. After breakfast we sat up in the cockpit and enjoyed the morning. 

 At noon the Wind Swept arrived.  They dropped anchor a little deep out than Sassy and the Cygnet. Soon Terry and Val arrived to say hello and they made their way over to the Sassy.  By mid afternoon Mayo Cove was filling up fast.  Boats of all description were coming in.  Floats began to build and small cove began to crowd.   It was a sight to see, boats jockeying for position.  Knot Work was trying to make her way through the madness.

At around 1630 the Knot Work was tied up alongside. Best I could tell, Merlot was tied up to another South Sounder, Wind Swept, Pax, Sassy and another boat sat on hooks by themselves, Dawn Trader, Crusoe, Pearl,  two other boats sat on a float, and Knot Work and Cygnet sat on a raft.  1800 we all made our way to the pot luck.  There was plenty of food and libation for everyone.  We rowed back to the Cygnet just after sun set.  After a long warm day we took bird baths and climbed topside.  Gene and Tami joined up with popcorn and champagne. At 2330 we all turned in.

Earlier in the evening the fluky wind starting blowing from the south as a small front blew through.  The change in the weather started with an increase in wind and around midnight came the rain. I have a hard time sleeping when we sit on the anchor when weather picks up.  All night I kept waking up to sound of wind whistling though the halyard and rain on the hull.  I knew we were in pretty good shape, the anchor was set well.  The anchor held well all night.

May 25, 2008.

We arose around 0900.  Going topside to assess the weather, if found gray skies and light wind.  Some rain blue in under the Bimini. Cushions and life jackets were wetted and that was the extent of damage.  I had to make the morning run to shore for the pups sake.  Back onboard we readied the boat to get underway.  Gene the Skipper on Knot Work rowed out on his dinghy and set his anchor.  About a hour later we broke up the raft, pulled anchor and motored out of Mayo Cove.  Pulling the Anchor we had a huge pile of sea weed.  I made quite a mess of topside cleaning off the sea weed. 

Annette piloted the boat through Pitt Passage and around Devils with little help.  Her watch was over and I took the helm the rest of the way to Swantown.  We docked with no problems and cleaned up and head home.  It was a good trip.  We look forward to next year.